明 杜堇 伏生授經圖 軸|The Scholar Fu Sheng Transmitting the Book of Documents
15th–mid-16th century
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
Dimensions
Image: 57 7/8 × 41 1/8 in. (147 × 104.5 cm) Overall with mounting: 9 ft. 10 3/4 in. × 50 1/4 in. (301.6 × 127.6 cm) Overall with knobs: 9 ft. 10 3/4 in. × 53 in. (301.6 × 134.6 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Culture & Period
China · Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Douglas Dillon, 1991
Accession Number
1991.117.2
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the grand tradition of Ming dynasty (1368–1644) painting, Du Jin's *The Scholar Fu Sheng Transmitting Book of Documents* captures a pivotal moment in Chinese cultural history. Created between the 15th and mid-16th centuries, hanging scroll depicts the Han dynasty scholar Fu Sheng, whoarded the ancient Confucian classicShangshu* ( of Documents) during the Qin era's infamous burnings. Legend holds that Fu Sheng recited the text from memory to his daughter, meticulously transcribed it, ensuring its survival for future generations. The scene, rich with figures of men and women engaged in writing and teaching, underscores the Ming era's reverence for Confucian scholarship and moral education. Rendered in ink and color on silk—a luxurious medium prized for its smooth surface and vibrant hues—Du Jin employs the refined techniques of the Zhe school, blending precise figure work with atmospheric landscapes. The monumental scale (nearly 10 feet tall when fully mounted) invites viewers to immerse themselves in this intimate act of transmission, evoking the scroll's ritualistic display in scholarly studios. As a gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1991, this work exemplifies Ming painting's role in preserving China's intellectual heritage, bridging ancient lore with Renaissance-era artistry.
About the Artist
Du Jin · 1435–1535
Chinese, active ca. 1465–1509